Our Flash Drive making most of bonus year

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - When Mark Casse ran Our Flash Drive in the Grade 2 Bessarabian Stakes last November at Woodbine, it was projected to be her last start.

When Our Flash Drive galloped to a 5 3/4-length victory, earning a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure, Casse asked owner Charlotte Weber if he could run her one more year and Weber agreed.

Our Flash Drive, now 5, has rewarded that decision with two graded stakes victories this year and aims for a third in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Caress Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga.

Our Flash Drive won the De La Rose Stakes going a mile here last summer, but seems to have found a niche as a sprinter.

“After she was so impressive, I said to Mrs. Weber maybe I was wrong with this filly, maybe she needs to be a sprinter,” Casse said.

Casse’s one concern about the Caress is the 5 1/2 furlongs “may be a tad short for her,” he said.

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Casse said though Our Flash Drive won the Grade 2 Royal North last out from an up-close position, jockey Patrick Husbands told Casse she prefers to lay farther off the pace.

Dylan Davis will ride Our Flash Drive on Saturday. The Caress field was expected to include Bubble Rock, Poppy Flower, Roses for Debra, and Wakanaka. Bank On Anna was to be entered as main-track only.

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